News

Hong Kong for a song

Yet another new airline made news last week, announcing the launch of five weekly nonstop flights from Gatwick to Hong Kong, with one-way fares from as low as £75.

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines was established in February 2005 by the Rev Raymond C Lee and his wife, Priscilla, and comprises two former Singapore Airlines Boeing 747s. The airline told The Sunday Times that at least 10% of the 278 economy-class seats on every flight will be available at £75 on the airline’s website (www.oasis-air.com) from September.

So, is this the beginning of the oft-heralded low-cost long-haul era, or is it just hype? Air Sahara promised flights from Heathrow to Delhi for £126 plus taxes — but try finding that fare on its website; and AlphaOne, the no-frills airline launched by 19-year-old “baby Branson” Martin Halstead, never really got going. Zoom, on the other hand, has proved that low-cost long-haul can work,